Ogonis explain resistance to Nigeria oil trade resumption

14 February 2015, Lagos — NIGERIAN mass‐based social movement organization of the indigenous Ogoni people argued the government had to consider the autonomy of their region before resuming oil business in the region.

Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, is opposing the resumption of oil sales.

“The MOSOP Coordinators chairman (Frank Jonah) urged the government to show some sense of humanity by addressing the issues of self determination for the Ogoni people before contemplating any form of negotiations regarding the Ogoni oil,” Jonah’s spokesperson, Letom Sinen, said.

“He (Jonah) noted that failing to address these issues will mean the government has chosen to kill and repress the people to forcefully exploit their oil resources as there must be very strong resistance against such moves.”

Earlier this week, the MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators urged the government to first address the fundamental demands of the Ogoni people including the right to recognition and self determination through the creation of a Bori state, the clean-up of Ogoniland and the payment of compensation to Ogoni people whose means of livelihood had been allegedly damaged by years of environmental degradation by Shell’s presence in the area.

Johan said Nigeria must show its commitment to justice and fairness especially in the Ogoni issue.

“We have lost some of our best men in the November 10, 1995 hangings, we have been extensively abused under the various Nigerian military regimes, our environment has been completely destroyed.

“We have no electricity, water and many more basic amenities despite being a major contributor to the Nigerian economy and so the government will be most insensitive to ignore all these issues and to be talking about any form of resuming oil activities in Ogoni.”

MOSOP is the umbrella organization of currently 11 member groups representing more than 700 000 indigenous Ogoni in campaigning for social, economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.
*Okoro Chinedu – Caj News